Mounting bracket and method

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a bracket for mounting housing for accommodating electrical components. The bracket comprises a base member capable of being mounted to a surface. The bracket may also comprise a sidewall extending from the base member and a system for mounting the electrical component housing to the sidewall of the base member, so that when the electrical component housing is connected to the bracket, a space is defined between the base member and the electrical component housing.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to a housing for electronic equipment,and more particularly to a bracket for use in mounting the housing forelectronic equipment.

Housings for electronic equipment, such as electrical transformers, aretypically manufactured and sold as boxes with the electrical componentsalready installed. Accordingly, connecting the electrical components toa power source can be cumbersome. Additionally, replacing currentlyinstalled housing for electronic equipment can be a difficult andexpensive task.

For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a structure for that willallow for relatively quick and easy installation, or replacement, ofhousings for electronic equipment.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention, a bracket for mounting housing foraccommodating electrical components may include a base member capable ofbeing mounted to a surface. The bracket may also include a sidewallextending from the base member and means for mounting the electricalcomponent housing to the sidewall of the base member such that a spaceis defined between the base member and the electrical component housing.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, a housing assembly mayinclude a housing member and a bracket capable of being fixed to asurface. The bracket may include a base member, a sidewall extendingfrom the base member, and means for mounting the housing member to thesidewall of the base member. The housing assembly may further includemeans for removeably attaching the housing member to the mounting means.When the housing assembly is mounted to the bracket, the housing memberis spaced from the base member.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, a method is providedfor mounting a housing for accommodating electrical components. Themethod includes providing a bracket comprising a base capable of beingmounted to a surface, at least one sidewall extending from the base, andmeans for mounting the electrical component housing to the at least onesidewall. The method may further comprise securing the bracket to asurface and mounting the electrical component housing to the bracket.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following description thereof andappended claims in which references are made to the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, referenceshould now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawingsand described below. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a housing for accommodating electricalcomponents, wherein the housing is mounted to a bracket according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the housing assembly as shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a mounting bracket according to FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the mounting bracket shown in FIG.3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the mounting bracket shown inFIG. 3.

FIG. 6A is a top exploded perspective view of the housing assembly shownin FIG. 1, wherein the housing has been rotated 90 degrees relative tothe bracket.

FIGS. 6B-C are cross-sectional views of the mounting means system ofFIG. 1 taken along line 6-6.

FIG. 6D is a perspective view of the mounting bracket and electricalcomponent housing with another mounting means system according toanother embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing hasbeen rotated 90 degrees relative to the bracket.

FIG. 6E is a close-up view of the mounting means system of FIG. 6D.

FIG. 6F is a perspective view of the mounting bracket and electricalcomponent housing with yet another mounting means system according toyet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing hasbeen rotated 90 degrees relative to the bracket.

FIG. 6G is a perspective view of the mounting bracket and electricalcomponent housing with yet another mounting means system according toeven yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein thehousing has been rotated 90 degrees relative to the bracket.

FIG. 6H is a perspective view of the mounting bracket and electricalcomponent housing with yet another mounting means system according toyet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the housing hasbeen rotated 90 degrees relative to the bracket.

FIG. 6I is a close-up view of the mounting means system of FIG. 6H.

FIG. 7 is front view of a mounting bracket according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the housing assembly shown in FIG. 1taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the housing assembly shown inFIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to betaken as a limitation on the invention. For example, words such as“upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,”“transverse” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown inthe FIGs. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction andthe terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing suchvariations unless specified otherwise.

As used herein, the term “housing for electrical components” or“electrical component housing” may mean any structure for accommodatingelectrical components. Thus, it is understood that a housing forelectrical components or an electrical component housing could betransformers, electrical boxes, conduit boxes, or any other structurethat is used for accommodating or supporting electrical components. Theelectrical component housing may include electrical components, asdefined below.

Also, as used herein, the term “electrical components” may mean anyelectrical element, device and/or equipment. Electrical components maytherefore, without limitation, include switches, circuit breakers,relays, connector blocks, transformers, and discrete electricalcomponents, such as resistors and capacitors, connected in circuit withany electronic device, including integrated circuit chips or any otherdevice that can be used in the field of electricity generation, use orcontrol.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designatecorresponding or similar elements throughout the several view, variousshow embodiments of a housing assembly according to the presentinvention are shown and generally designated at 20. As shown in FIGS. 1and 2, the housing assembly 20 comprises a housing 24 for accommodatingelectrical components 26 and a bracket 22 for removeably securing theelectrical component housing 24 to any supporting surface 28, such as awall. FIGS. 1-2 show the electrical component housing 24 having aplurality of electrical components; however, it should be understoodthat the electrical component housing 24 may house more or lesscomponents than what is shown, or may house no components at all suchthat the housing 24 is empty. In the embodiments shown, the housing 24is representative of an electrical transformer for converting inputpower to power usable to a load, such as low-level outdoor lighting.

The bracket 22 comprises a base 30, sidewalls 32, and means for mountingthe electrical component housing 24 to the bracket 22. Referring toFIGS. 3-5, the base 30 may be a generally planar element that takes onany shape, such as a substantially rectangular shape, as shown. Thebracket 22 may be fabricated from any material, including, but notlimited to, any sheet metal, (e.g. steel, aluminum, etc.), plastic,fiberglass, metal or any other type of rigid material.

The base 30 includes a front surface 40 and a rear surface 42. The frontsurface 40 of the base 30 corresponds to an internal surface of thehousing assembly 20 and the rear surface 42 corresponds to an outersurface of the bracket 22 when the electrical component housing 24 ismounted to or assembled with the bracket 22. Additionally, the surfaceof the base 30 may be of any appropriate dimension so as to conform tothe shape of the supporting surface 28 from which the bracket 22 mightbe suspended.

The base 30 may have one or more openings 36 to provide a means forattaching the base 30 to the supporting surface 28 by, e.g., fasteners38, bolts, hooks, nails, etc. These openings 36 may be of any shape,such as a round hole, a keyhole slot, eyelet-shape, etc. It isunderstood that any other suitable means may be used for attaching thebase 30 to the supporting structure 28. Examples of such attaching meansmay include hooks, flanges, additional mounting brackets, and the like.

The sidewalls 32 extend generally perpendicularly from the respectiveside edges of the base 30. In the configuration shown, the sidewalls 32are substantially parallel to one another. Each sidewall 32 has aninwardly facing surface 56 and an outwardly facing surface 58. Eachinwardly facing surface 56 faces in the direction toward the center ofthe base 30. Each sidewall 32 may further include a flange 59 extendinginwardly from the edge of the sidewall 32. The sidewalls 32 define anopen area therebetween. While the bracket 22 can be assembled byfastening separate sidewalls 32 to the base 30 (e.g. as by welding,L-bracket, etc.), the bracket 22 is shown in FIG. 3 as a single integralsheet folded along two vertical fold lines L1, L2 for forming thesidewalls 32.

The bracket 22 may also include a transverse wall 64 extending from thebase 30 transversely between the sidewalls 32. The transverse wall 64includes a top surface 68 and a bottom surface 70 and may extend to, andinterconnect with, the sidewalls 32. The transverse wall 64 may dividethe open area of bracket 22 into two separate compartments, including alower compartment defined by a lower surface of the wall and the innersurfaces of each of the sidewalls 32. The transverse wall 64 also hasholes 76 to allow for conduit 66 to be mounted to the bracket 22 (FIG.7) or to allow access for electrical wires 77. The transverse wall 64may be connected to the base 30 or at least one of the sidewalls 32 ofthe bracket 22 by any means (not shown), such as welding, L-shapedbrackets, fasteners, and the like.

The bracket 22 may also have knockout stampings (not shown) whichprovide access passageways for passing electrical cables to theelectrical component housing 24 through the base 30 or sidewalls 32.Similar knock-out stampings may be included in the electrical componenthousing 24.

Means are provided for mounting the electrical component housing 24 tothe sidewalls 32. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, the mountingmeans comprises a hook and slot system 78. As can be seen in FIG. 6A,downwardly-opening hooks 88 are attached adjacent to the edges of theelectrical component housing 24. Two spaced hooks 88 are provided oneach of opposed edges of the electrical component housing 24. It shouldbe understood that any other configuration may be possible, includinghaving any number of hooks, placing the hooks at any location on theelectrical component housing 24, placing the hooks on the bracket, andthe like. Corresponding to each respective hook, slots 90 are formed inthe flanges 59 that extend from the edges of the sidewalls 32 (FIG. 3).Each slot 90 is capable of receiving a respective hook 88.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C, in order to attach the electricalcomponent housing 24 to the bracket 22, the housing is positioned withthe rear surface of the housing 24 adjacent to the sidewalls such thateach hook 88 from the electrical component housing 24 slides into acorresponding slot opening 90 in the flanges 59. This position is shownin FIG. 6B. The housing 24 is then lowered relative to the bracket 22such that each hook 88 moves downwardly in each respective slot 90. Thisposition is shown in FIG. 6C. When attached, each hook 88 rests on thelower edge 94 of each corresponding slot 90, with the slots 90supporting the weight of the electrical component housing 24 and therear surface of the housing 24 abutted against the flanges 59. In orderto detach the electrical component housing 24 from the bracket 22, theelectrical component housing 24 may be lifted relative to the bracket 22to the position in FIG. 6B, such that the hooks 88 may then betransferred out of the slots 90 as the housing 24 is pulled away fromthe bracket 22.

Various mounting means, other than the hook and slot system 78, mayinclude pin and sleeve systems 80, pin and eyelet systems 82, hinges 84,hooks 86, magnets (not shown) and the like. Exemplary mounting means andmounting means systems are described further below with reference toFIGS. 6D-I.

In FIGS. 6D-E, another illustrated embodiment of the mounting means isshown as a pin and sleeve mounting system 80. In this system 80, asleeve 100 is shown as being attached to the bracket 22 while a pin 96is attached to the electrical component housing 24. The pin 96 isorientated in a downward position and the receiving end 98 of the sleeve100 faces an upward position. Each pin 96 has a lower portion 102 thatis capable of being inserted into the receiving portion 104 of thesleeve 100 and an upper portion 105 that does not fit into the receivingportion 104 of the sleeve 100. To attach the electrical componenthousing 24 to the bracket 22, the lower portion 102 of the pin 96 may beinserted into the receiving portion 104 of the sleeve 100 until theupper portion 105 of the pin 96 makes contact with the sleeve 100.Conversely, to remove the electrical component housing 24 from thebracket 22, the electrical component housing 24 is moved relative to thebracket 22 until the pin 96 is removed from the sleeve 100.

In FIG. 6F, another illustrated embodiment of the mounting means isshown, including hooks 86 connected to the edges of the sidewalls 32 ofthe bracket 22. The sidewalls 32 may be configured such that the hooks86 fit around the exterior sides of the electrical component housing 24.Pins 106 that mate with the hooks 86 may be attached to the electricalcomponent housing 24. The pins 106 may be a piece of rigid material ofany shape (e.g. round, cylindrical, square, etc.) capable of resting onthe groove of the hooks 86 for supporting the weight of the electricalcomponent housing 24. Exemplary pins 106 may include rods, bolts,screws, and the like. In order to attach the electrical componenthousing 24 to the bracket 22, each pin 106 is lowered onto the groovedefined by each respective hook 86. The hooks 86 then support the pin106, and accordingly the weight of the electrical component housing 24.To detach the electrical component housing 24 from the bracket 22, thepins 106 are lifted off of the hooks 86 by vertically lifting theelectrical component housing 24.

In FIG. 6G, yet another illustrated embodiment of the mounting means isshown as a hinge 84. The hinge 84 may be employed to connect theelectrical component housing 24 with one sidewall 32 of the bracket 22.One side of the hinge 84 may be connected to a portion of the electricalcomponent housing 24 and the other side of the hinge may be connected toone of the sidewalls 32 of the bracket 22. The hinge 84 allows theelectrical component housing 24 to rotate about the sidewall 32 that thehinge 84 is connected to. A connector 108, such as a latch, may beattached to the opposing sidewall 32 of the bracket 22. The connector108 may removeably join to a pin 110 that is secured to the electricalcomponent housing 24 so as to prevent the electrical component housing24 from swinging away from the bracket 22. The hinge 84 may beremoveably fastened (e.g. by fasteners, screws, bolts, etc.) and/or maybe permanently fixed (e.g. as by welding) to one of the sidewalls 32and/or the electrical component housing 24.

In FIGS. 6H-6I, yet another illustrated embodiment of the mounting meansis shown as a pin and eyelet system 82. In this system 82, at least onepin 112 is attached to the electrical component housing 24 and thebracket 22 has eyelets 114 corresponding to each pin 112. The eyelet 114has a lower portion 116 and an upper portion 118, where the radius ofthe upper portion 118 is smaller than the radius of the lower portion116. The pin 112 may have a torso 120 and a head 122 at the end of thetorso 120. The head 122 is larger in radius than the torso 120 of thepin 112 and the radius of the upper portion 118 of the eyelet 114, butis smaller than the radius of the lower portion 116 of the eyelet 114.To attach the electrical component housing 24 to the bracket 22, eachpin 112 is inserted into the lower portion 116 of the eyelet 114 and theelectrical component housing 24 is lowered so that the upper perimeter124 of each eyelet 114 rests on each respective pin 112. The head 122 ofthe pin 112 prevents the pin 112 from horizontally sliding out of theupper portion 118 of the eyelet 114. To detach the electrical componenthousing 24 from the bracket 22, the electrical component housing 24 islifted so that the head 122 of the pin 112 aligns with the lower portion116 of the eyelet 114 and the pin 112 is then horizontally removed fromthe eyelet 114.

It is understood that the mounting means, as shown in and describedabove with reference to FIGS. 6A-6I, are not limited to the aboveembodiments. Any other suitable mounting means may be used to mount theelectrical component housing 24 to the bracket 22.

Further, in each of the above embodiments of the mounting means, eitherportion of the mounting means may be integral with the sidewall 32 ormay be fastened separately (e.g. welded) to the sidewall 32 of thebracket 22; similarly, either portion of the mounting means may beconnected to, or integral with, the electrical component housing 24.

In use, the bracket 22 is secured to a supporting structure 28 by thefastening means 38. Prior to mounting the electrical component housing24 to the bracket 22, an installer may perform a pre-wiring step usingelectrical wires 77 which will be used for outputting electrical currentand voltage from the electrical component housing 24 to any desired load(not shown), such as any low-level lighting system. The pre-wiring stepincludes pulling electrical wires 77 through the holes 76 of thetransverse wall 64 or through conduit 66 that may be mounted to theholes 76 of the transverse wall 64 (FIG. 7). The pre-wiring step mayalso include temporarily placing or permanently affixing the electricalwires 77 to the bracket 22 in any manner, such as hanging the wires overthe sidewalls (FIG. 7), attaching the wires to the transverse wall 64,and the like. The pre-wiring step positions the electrical wires 77 sothat the wires may be easily attached to the appropriate electricalcomponents 26 in the electrical component housing 24 after the housing24 is mounted to the bracket 22.

Next, the electrical component housing 24 is mounted to the bracket 22via the mounting means, as previously discussed with reference to FIGS.6A-6I. This effectively mounts the electrical component housing 24 tothe supporting surface 28.

As shown in FIG. 8, when the electrical component housing 24 is mountedto the bracket 22, an internal space 60 is defined between the innersurface of the base 30, the rear surface of the housing 24, and theinner surfaces of the sidewalls 32. In one embodiment, the internalspace 60 may be further defined by a lower surface of the transversewall 64, the inner surface of the base 30, the rear surface of thehousing 24, and the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 32. The extension ofthe sidewall 32 from the base 30 determines the depth of the internalspace 60 between the base 30 and the electrical component housing 24.The internal space 60 is large enough for receiving electrical wires 77,conduit 66, and the like. As best seen in FIG. 9, the internal space 60is accessible via an opening 62 in the bottom 64 of the housing assembly20. The opening 62 is of a sufficient size to permit electrical wires77, conduit 66 and the like to access the internal space 60 through theopening 62 in the bottom 64 of the housing assembly 20.

After mounting the electrical component housing 24 to the bracket 22,the connection of the wires 77 to the electrical components 26 may becompleted. The wires 77 that were pulled via the pre-wiring step arelocated in the internal space 60 of the housing assembly 20 with theends of the wires 77 extending through the transverse wall 64. In oneembodiment, the transverse wall 64 may be affixed to the bracket 24 atthe same height as to where the electrical components 26 are accessibleto the mounting bracket 22 (FIG. 1). This permits the ends of the wires77 to be proximate to its eventual affixation location, in theembodiments shown, the electrical components 26. An installer may simplyconnect the ends of the pulled wires 77 to the appropriate electricalcomponents 26. Once connected, the electrical wires 77 run from theelectrical component housing 24 through the internal space 60 of thehousing assembly 20 and out the opening 62 of the bottom 64 of thehousing assembly 20 eventually to a load so as to permit power to beoutputted from the electrical components of the housing 24 to the load.The electrical component housing 24 may be connected to a power source(not shown) by plugging a power cord 126 of the housing 24 into anoutlet (not shown) of the power source. Power may then be applied viathe power source and the housing assembly 20 may be used for itsintended use.

At any time (such as for maintenance, replacement, upgrades, etc.), theelectrical component housing 24 may be detached from the bracket 22 viathe mounting means, as previously described with regard to FIGS. 6A-6I.Additional steps may be required in disconnecting the housing 24 fromthe bracket 22, such as disconnecting the wires 77 from the electricalcomponents or disconnecting any other device attached to the electricalcomponent housing 24. Allowing the electrical component housing 24 to beeasily and quickly removed from the bracket 22 gives free access to thehousing 24 for performing various operations after installation, such asperforming repair work, upgrading systems or maintenance and/orreplacing the electrical component housing 24 altogether.

Through the use of the mounting bracket, installation of the electricalcomponents 26 and wiring may be facilitated in a more expedient manner.The electrical component housing 24 may be of substantial weight, suchas about 20 pounds or more. By mounting the electrical component housing24 to the bracket 22 prior to wiring the electrical component housing24, the bracket 22 bears the weight of the housing 24 while allowing aninstaller to quickly complete the installation and wiring. Additionally,an installer can utilize the internal space 60 to quickly and moreeffortlessly complete the wiring of the housing assembly 20 without thechallenges and disadvantages of the prior art.

Although the present invention has been shown and described inconsiderable detail with respect to only a few/particular exemplaryembodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the artthat it is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments sincevarious modifications, omissions and additions may be made to thedisclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the invention, particularly in light of theforegoing teachings.

1.-28. (canceled)
 29. A method for mounting a housing for accommodatingelectrical components, the method comprising: providing a bracket,wherein the bracket comprises: a base capable of being mounted to asurface, at least one sidewall extending from the base, and means formounting the electrical component housing to the at least one sidewall;securing the bracket to a surface; and mounting the electrical componenthousing to the bracket.
 30. The method as recited in claim 29, furthercomprising the step of attaching one or more electrical components tothe electrical component housing.
 31. The method as recited in claim 30,further comprising the step of wiring the electrical components.
 32. Themethod as recited in claim 31, wherein the wiring the electricalcomponents occurs prior to the attaching the electrical componenthousing to the bracket.
 33. The method as recited in claim 31, furthercomprising the steps of: providing a power source; and electricallyconnecting the wires of the electrical component housing to the powersource.
 34. The method as recited in claim 29, further comprising thesteps of: removing the electrical component housing from the bracket;and attaching a second electrical component housing to the bracket.